HERAT: A joint government and private sector delegation from Uzbekistan has visited Herat to discuss expanding economic cooperation with Afghanistan, officials said.
The delegation, led by Shavkat Rahmanov, governor of Andijan, held talks with Herat’s governor Shaikh Maulana Islam Jar, according to a statement from the governor’s office.
Discussions focused on enhancing trade and transit links, developing highways and railway connections, establishing a permanent exhibition for Uzbek products in Herat, and opening a joint chamber of commerce.
Islam Jar called Herat as a key economic and transit hub, emphasizing the importance of strengthening trade relations with Uzbekistan. He noted that Afghanistan imports food items, oil, cement, and construction materials from Uzbekistan, while exporting Herat’s marble in return.
Rahmanov highlighted Herat’s role as a gateway for Afghanistan’s trade with Central Asia and expressed the readiness of Uzbek investors to invest in the province.
Both sides also agreed to send a delegation of Herat traders to Andijan to showcase their products at a joint exhibition.
The visit comes as an exhibition of Uzbek products has recently opened in Herat, with plans underway to officially launch a joint Afghanistan–Uzbekistan chamber of commerce.
Uzbek delegation visits Herat to boost trade ties with Afghanistan
